Massachusetts’ ‘Town Of Five Villages’ Is A Rural Arts Hub With Galleries, Vistas, And A Dreamy Bookshop

Tucked into Franklin County’s Pioneer Valley, Montague offers a rare blend of riverside scenery, handmade treasures, and literary charm that feels worlds away from city chaos.

This five-village town draws creative souls, bookworms, and trail seekers who crave authenticity without sacrificing culture. Whether you’re hunting for vintage reads or riverside trails, Montague delivers a refreshing escape that’s both laid-back and surprisingly vibrant.

1. Five Villages, One Creative Town

Montague sits in Franklin County in western Massachusetts’ Pioneer Valley and is made up of five distinct villages: Turners Falls, Montague Center, Millers Falls, Lake Pleasant, and Montague City. Roughly 12 miles north of Amherst via MA-63, it’s an easy base for river views, trails, and small-town arts.

If you’re mapping a Pioneer Valley road trip, this multi-village setup means you could explore a mill-turned-gallery in one spot, then hop over to a riverside trail in another without burning half a tank. Each village carries its own personality – Turners Falls brings the artsy energy, while Montague Center hides the famous Bookmill.

How does one town juggle five identities? Through community collaboration and a shared love for creativity that turns every corner into a potential discovery.

2. Dreamy Bookshop Over A Waterfall

Montague Bookmill turns an old 1830s mill into a bibliophile’s dream, tucked along the Sawmill River at 440 Greenfield Road in Montague Center. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., it welcomes visitors with creaky floors, warm wood, and that unmistakable scent of paper and time. Shelves overflow with used books while sunlight filters through rustic beams, giving the whole place a cinematic calm.

Browsing mystery novels while a waterfall hums nearby feels like pure magic, the kind that makes hours disappear. The building’s weathered bones and cozy corners could easily star in a Wes Anderson scene -quirky, charming, perfectly imperfect. Most people walk in for one book and leave balancing a stack, grinning at their lack of restraint.

Best move? Claim a deck seat when the weather cooperates. The soft rush of the river below pairs beautifully with a good story and a cup of something warm. Even non-readers end up lost in pages here – it’s that kind of place.

3. Artists Next Door

Sawmill River Arts Gallery sits in the Bookmill complex and showcases local fine art, ceramics, textiles, woodwork, jewelry, and photography. Posted hours: Thursday–Monday 11 a.m.–5 p.m. The setting adds rustic beams, river soundscape, and an easy stroll between books, coffee, and art.

However, this isn’t your typical white-cube gallery with intimidating silence and judgmental stares. The mill’s character – creaky floors, natural light filtering through old windows – makes the art feel approachable, like visiting a friend’s well-curated studio. Local artisans rotate pieces regularly, so repeat visits might help you discover a new ceramicist or textile wizard.

If you’re hunting for one-of-a-kind gifts or home accents that scream “I found this somewhere cooler than you,” this spot delivers without the boutique markup.

4. River Vistas, Easy Trails, Family-Friendly Museums

Turners Falls charms visitors with easy adventure and riverside calm. The paved Canalside Rail Trail runs sunrise to sunset, flat and stroller-friendly, yet rich with scenery that overdelivers – mirror-like river reflections, canal remnants whispering history, and a parade of birds that makes binoculars feel essential.

At 2 Avenue A, Great Falls Discovery Center brings the Connecticut River ecosystem to life, open most weeks Tuesday 10–4 and Wednesday through Sunday 10–6, closing Mondays. Exhibits blend education and fun, keeping kids curious without losing adults’ interest. Late spring adds a special treat when the Turners Falls Fishway opens, offering an up-close look at migrating fish powering upstream – a natural spectacle few trails can top.

Unity Park stretches the experience, offering green lawns and river overlooks ideal for picnics or quiet moments. Pack snacks and curiosity; the trail won’t test your legs, but your camera will get a serious workout. Between history, wildlife, and flowing water, Turners Falls feels like nature’s own classroom – welcoming, photogenic, and just the right kind of peaceful.

5. Where To Eat Right Now

Lady Killigrew Café, 440 Greenfield Rd: riverside café in the mill complex; pressed sandwiches, peanut noodles, soups, salads, coffee; commonly posted hours 9 a.m.–9 p.m. daily. Great Falls Harvest, 50 3rd St: seasonal, locally sourced plates; hours often Fri–Sat 5–9 p.m., Sun brunch and dinner 11 a.m.–7 p.m. Dreamhouse, 37 3rd St: brunch spot for Benedicts, breakfast burritos, salads; open Thu–Mon 9 a.m.–3 p.m. The Upper Bend, 112 Avenue A: daytime café and bakery; Tue–Sun 8 a.m.–3 p.m. North Village Smokehouse, 32 Federal St, Millers Falls: Texas-style barbecue; Thu–Fri 4–9 p.m., Sat–Sun 3–9 p.m. The Rendezvous, 78 3rd St: neighborhood kitchen for wings, tacos, burgers; kitchen daily 11:30 a.m.–9 p.m.

Drop your thoughts below on which spot you’d hit first after a morning of book hunting and trail walking.

6. Small-Town Culture, Big-Night Stages

Turners Falls anchors the town’s arts calendar with the historic Shea Theater Arts Center hosting concerts, comedy, and community events, while the Discovery Center rotates exhibits and programs year-round. Expect walkable streets, converted mill buildings, and a friendly, arts-first vibe.

If you’ve ever wished your hometown had more culture per capita, Montague might trigger serious relocation daydreams. The Shea Theater punches way above its small-town weight, booking acts that could easily fill city venues but choose intimacy instead. Meanwhile, year-round programming at the Discovery Center keeps locals and visitors engaged beyond the typical summer tourist rush.

Share if this got you grinning and planning a weekend escape to Franklin County’s creative heartbeat.